June 24, 2014

Hair Comb Hoarder

So, I have actually forbid myself from buying any more hair combs for now. I mean seriously, the line between collecting and hoarding may be fuzzy but I sense it hanging around! I just love them, I'm obsessed! They are the most beautiful accessory and I don't understand why no one is still making them (perhaps one day I will make them myself!) Anyway...I thought I would update you all on my current "collection" by showing you the new additions from this spring. Etsy is such a dangerous place for me! I have always slightly resented Ebay , because I tend to always lose the actions! Over on Etsy though there is no bidding, only beautiful buy it now, and so I tend to do so!

Yellow transparent celluloid with green rhinestones in a large swirling motif, Ebay

Wow! What a beauty right? This comb is rather large and would certainly make quite the statement walking into any room out there! I have moved into colorful combs as you will see below. I just need to make a few more 20's and 30's cocktail/evening dresses to go with these!

Layered black over clear celluloid, bright blue rhinestones, Etsy

Red and teal transparent celluloid, Etsy

These little guys came to me for a steal and in their original box! I was looking out for a red comb but found these twins instead. The teal comb is missing some rhinestones (usually a deal breaker for me, mostly I pledge to never buy any combs/jewelry with missing bits) but the price was too good to let the red one go just because the teal comb needed some TLC. I just need a package of capri blue rhinestones and the teal comb will be back in order.

This comb was kind of an impulse buy because it was priced so well. I really do love it though, it's just so art deco! The rhinestones outline a sort of ribbon that weaves through the spokes of the comb design. I really need a green 20's dress now.

And then there is this last amazing comb. There are a few motifs I never expected to be able to afford, a spiderweb comb, an Egyptian revival comb and of course a peacock feather comb. Then I saw this comb go up for sale at a ridiculously low price. Turns out the celluloid is already starting to degrade. Yes, celluloid is not forever, in fact it isn't a very stable material at all! This comb has only a tiny start of degradation, so small that it will be years before I have to lovingly lay this beautiful comb to rest. Hopefully before then I will have figured out how to open my own line of repro combs and can cast this guy in a nice strong modern acrylic and love it forever more.

Thus, we come to the end of my comb collection, for now! I admit I still stalk Etsy and Ebay every so often to check out whats new. I have promised myself there are strict parameters for any new combs entering my little hoard. I am still on the look out for an Egyptian comb, a white/ivory example and a purple comb. Other than those exceptions, I am not allowed to add any more combs into my online shopping cart! Oh goodness...wish me luck with that guys!

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Hello there! I'm Bianca and here on The Closet Historian I study and recreate vintage fashions-- sketching, pattern drafting, and sewing my way to a vintage inspired wardrobe. I also occasionally attempt knitting, travel as far and wide as I can, and make videos over on YouTube, all while writing a novel on the side.